Dakota Mekkes

Drafted in the 10th round (314th overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2016 (signed for $275,000)

Mekkes' 15 strikeouts per nine innings are easily the best in Division I this year. But it's not all that easy to explain exactly how he does it. Mekkes' fastball is fine, but it doesn't have exceptional velocity--he's 90-93 mph out of the bullpen and his slider earns fringe-average to average grades. He also infrequently uses a changeup that flashes average with late fade, but it's more often is a below-average offering. But while Mekkes' fastball has only average velocity, it plays as an above-average pitch because of Mekkes' low arm slot, deceptive delivery and his ability to change a hitter's eye level. One coach called Mekkes' fastball a rise ball because of his ability to elevate up in the zone over a hitter's hands. His slider also plays up because he can locate it and it plays well off of his fastball. Mekkes is not a one-inning reliever--he worked three or more innings five times this season, including six shutout innings in an extra-inning win against Maryland. Mekkes doesn't appear to be particularly athletic but he fields his position well and holds runners.